10 In the third year that King Cyrus ruled Persia, God gave a message to Daniel. [ a ] (Daniel's other name was Belteshazzar.) The message was true. It was about a great war. Daniel had a vision which helped him to understand the message.
2 At that time I, Daniel, was very sad for three weeks. 3 I did not eat any special food. I ate no meat and I drank no wine. I did not put any sweet oil on my skin or my hair until the three weeks had finished.
4 On the 24th day of the first month, I was standing beside the great Tigris river. 5 I looked up. I saw a man who was wearing good linen clothes. He also wore a belt made of pure gold. 6 His body was bright like a jewel. His face shone like lightning. His eyes were like flames of fire. His arms and his feet shone like bright bronze. When he spoke, his voice was very loud, like the sound of many people's voices.
7 Only I, Daniel, saw this vision. The people who were with me did not see anything. But they became very afraid. They ran away to hide themselves. 8 So I was there alone to see this great vision. All my strength disappeared. My face became very white. I was very weak. 9 I listened to the man's voice. When I heard him, I fell down, with my face on the ground. I was completely asleep.
10 Then a hand touched me. It helped me to get up on my hands and knees. 11 The man said, ‘Daniel, God loves you very much. Listen carefully to what I say to you. Stand up now, because God has sent me to you.’ When he said this, I stood up. But my body was still shaking.
12 Then he said to me, ‘Daniel, do not be afraid. God has listened to your prayers since the time that you first turned to him. You wanted to understand about God. You put yourself under his authority. So I have come to bring the answer to your prayers. 13 But the ruler of the kingdom of Persia stood against me for 21 days. Then Michael came to help me. He is one of God's most important angels. He helped me because the ruler of Persia was keeping me there. [ b ] 14 Now I have come to explain what will happen to your people in the future. The vision is about a future time.’
15 While he was saying this to me, I was looking down at the ground. I could not speak. 16 Then someone who looked like a man touched my lips. I opened my mouth and I was able to speak again. So I said to the person who stood in front of me, ‘Sir, the vision makes me very afraid. My strength has disappeared. 17 I am your servant, sir. I am too weak to speak with you. It is difficult for me to breathe.’
18 The angel who looked like a man touched me again. That made me stronger. 19 He said to me, ‘Do not be afraid. God loves you very much. Have peace in your mind. Now be strong and brave!’ When he said this, I felt stronger. I said, ‘Sir, please speak to me now. You have made me strong again.’
20-21 Then the angel said to me, ‘I will tell you why I have come to you. I will explain to you what the words in the book of God's truth mean. But now I must return to fight a battle against the ruler of Persia. After I have won that battle, the ruler of Greece will appear.
Only Michael will help me. He is the angel who keeps your own people safe. Nobody else will be there to help me fight against God's enemies.
10 During the third year that Cyrus was the king of Persia, these things were shown to Daniel. (Daniel’s other name is Belteshazzar.) They are true, but very hard to understand. Daniel understood them because they were explained to him in a vision.
2 At that time I, Daniel, was very sad for three weeks. 3 During those three weeks, I didn’t eat any fancy food; I didn’t eat any meat or drink any wine. I didn’t put any oil on my head. I didn’t do any of these things for three weeks.
4 On the 24th day of the first month of the year, I was standing beside the great Tigris River. 5 While I was standing there, I looked up and I saw a man standing in front of me. He was wearing linen clothes. He wore a belt made of pure gold [ a ] around his waist. 6 His body was like a smooth, shiny stone. His face was bright like lightning. His eyes were like flames of fire. His arms and feet were shiny like polished brass. His voice was loud like a crowd of people.
7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision. The men with me didn’t see the vision, but they were still afraid. They were so afraid that they ran away and hid. 8 So I was left alone. I was watching this vision, and it made me afraid. I lost my strength. My face turned white like a dead person’s face, and I was helpless. 9 Then I heard the man in the vision talking. As I listened to his voice, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face on the ground.
10 Then a hand touched me. When that happened, I got on my hands and knees. I was so afraid that I was shaking. 11 The man in the vision said to me, “Daniel, God loves you very much. Think very carefully about the words I will speak to you. Stand up; I have been sent to you.” And when he said this, I stood up. I was still shaking because I was afraid. 12 Then the man in the vision started talking again. He said, “Daniel, do not be afraid. From the very first day you decided to get wisdom and to be humble in front of God, he has been listening to your prayers. I came to you because you have been praying. 13 But the prince [ b ] of Persia has been fighting against me for 21 days. Then Michael, one of the most important princes, came to help me because I was stuck there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to you, Daniel, to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future. The vision is about a time in the future.”
15 While the man was talking to me, I bowed low with my face toward the ground. I could not speak. 16 Then the one who looked like a man touched my lips. I opened my mouth and started to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, “Sir, I am upset and afraid because of what I saw in the vision. I feel helpless. 17 Sir, I am Daniel your servant. How can I talk with you? My strength is gone and it is hard for me to breathe.”
18 The one who looked like a man touched me again. When he touched me, I felt better. 19 Then he said, “Daniel, don’t be afraid. God loves you very much. Peace be with you. Be strong now, be strong.”
When he spoke to me, I became stronger. Then I said, “Sir, you have given me strength. Now you can speak.”
20 So then he said, “Daniel, do you know why I have come to you? Soon I must go back to fight against the prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece will come. 21 But Daniel, before I go, I must first tell you what is written in the Book of Truth . No one stands with me against those evil angels except Michael, the prince over your people.
10 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
10 In the third year of ( A ) Cyrus king of Persia, a [ a ] message was revealed to ( B ) Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the [ b ] ( C ) message was true and it concerned great [ c ] conflict, but he understood the [ d ] message and had an ( D ) understanding of the vision.
2 In those days, I, Daniel, had been ( E ) mourning for three [ e ] entire weeks. 3 I ( F ) did not eat any [ f ] tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the great ( G ) river, that is, the [ g ] Tigris, 5 I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man ( H ) dressed in linen, whose waist ( I ) had a belt of pure ( J ) gold of Uphaz. 6 His body also was like topaz, his face [ h ] had the appearance of lightning, ( K ) his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. 7 Now I, Daniel, ( L ) alone saw the vision, while the ( M ) men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great ( N ) fear fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves. 8 So I was ( O ) left alone and saw this great vision; yet ( P ) no strength was left in me, for my complexion turned to [ i ] a deathly pallor, and I retained no strength. 9 But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I ( Q ) fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
10 Then behold, a hand ( R ) touched me and shook me on my [ j ] hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, “ ( S ) Daniel, [ k ] you who are treasured, ( T ) understand the words that I am about to tell you and ( U ) stand at your place, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up ( V ) trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “ ( W ) Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on ( X ) humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come ( Y ) in response to your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was standing [ l ] in my way for twenty-one days; then behold, ( Z ) Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to ( AA ) explain to you what will happen to your people in the [ m ] ( AB ) latter days, because the vision pertains to ( AC ) the days still future .”
15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I [ n ] turned my face toward the ground and became ( AD ) speechless. 16 And behold, [ o ] ( AE ) one who resembled a human was ( AF ) touching my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, “My lord, due to the vision [ p ] ( AG ) anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength. 17 For ( AH ) how can such a servant of my lord talk with such as my lord? As for me, there remains just now ( AI ) no strength in me, nor has any breath been left in me.”
18 Then this one with human appearance touched me again and ( AJ ) strengthened me. 19 And he said, “ [ q ] You who are treasured, ( AK ) do not be afraid. Peace be to you; take ( AL ) courage and be courageous!” Now as soon as he spoke to me, I felt strengthened and said, “May my lord speak, for you have ( AM ) strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you [ r ] understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am leaving, and behold, the ( AN ) prince of [ s ] Greece is about to come. 21 However, I will tell you what is recorded in the writing of ( AO ) truth. Yet there is no one who [ t ] stands firmly with me against these forces except ( AP ) Michael your prince.
10 In the third year of Cyrus ( A ) king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). ( B ) Its message was true ( C ) and it concerned a great war. [ a ] The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.
2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned ( D ) for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; ( E ) and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank ( F ) of the great river, the Tigris, ( G ) 5 I looked up ( H ) and there before me was a man dressed in linen, ( I ) with a belt of fine gold ( J ) from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like topaz, ( K ) his face like lightning, ( L ) his eyes like flaming torches, ( M ) his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, ( N ) and his voice ( O ) like the sound of a multitude.
7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, ( P ) but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. 8 So I was left alone, ( Q ) gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, ( R ) my face turned deathly pale ( S ) and I was helpless. ( T ) 9 Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground. ( U )
10 A hand touched me ( V ) and set me trembling on my hands and knees. ( W ) 11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, ( X ) consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, ( Y ) for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.
12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, ( Z ) Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble ( AA ) yourself before your God, your words ( AB ) were heard, and I have come in response to them. ( AC ) 13 But the prince ( AD ) of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, ( AE ) one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain ( AF ) to you what will happen to your people in the future, ( AG ) for the vision concerns a time yet to come. ( AH ) ”
15 While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. ( AI ) 16 Then one who looked like a man [ b ] touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. ( AJ ) I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish ( AK ) because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. 17 How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.” ( AL )
18 Again the one who looked like a man touched ( AM ) me and gave me strength. ( AN ) 19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” ( AO ) he said. “Peace! ( AP ) Be strong now; be strong.” ( AQ )
When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.” ( AR )
20 So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece ( AS ) will come; 21 but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. ( AT ) (No one supports me against them except Michael, ( AU ) your prince.
